The address was targeted by people sending overly-heavy items at the party's expense but one package was the final straw, with a delivery of faeces prompting the closure of the service.

If you call the Freephone number, you will be greeted with a pre-recorded message: “Unfortunately, this Freephone number has been subjected to a concerted campaign of malicious nuisance calls and as a result we have been forced to suspend the service."

The withdrawn Freephone number has now been replaced with an alternative line that callers will have to pay to use.

One anonymous campaigner told The Independent that one of the tactics used by anti-Ukip activists was to programme computers to call the number continually.

As the disastrous interview continued Ukip communications director Patrick O'Flynn intervened in an attempt to get the programme shut down.

Ukip was also embroiled in another race row Friday after it emerged that one of its local election candidates has described Islam as a "totalitarian ideology" that is "against everything modern Britain stands for".

It is a fresh embarrassment for the party as it tries to fend off racism allegations following a series of scandals involving candidates, and a controversial poster campaign warning about Europeans coming to take UK jobs.

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Nigel Farage In The Pub

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Ukip leader Nigel Farage (right) speaks to a local in the King Alfred pub during a visit to Burrowbridge, Somerset.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage (left) speaks to locals in the King Alfred pub during a visit to Burrowbridge, Somerset.

UKIP Leader Nigel Farage has a pint after speaking with protesters as he campaigns for Aberdeen Donside by-election with party candidate Otto Inglis (not pictured) outside the Staging Post pub Aberdeen.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage drinks a pint of Edinburgh No3 Ale at the Cannons Gait pub during a visit to Edinburgh as part of a plan to build on electoral gains in England and start winning in Scotland.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage drinks a pint of Edinburgh No3 Ale at the Cannons Gait pub during a visit to Edinburgh as part of a plan to build on electoral gains in England and start winning in Scotland.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage enjoys a pint in the Marquis of Granby pub in London this afternoon after his party's success in the local elections.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage enjoys a pint in the Marquis of Granby pub in London this afternoon after his party's success in the local elections.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage enjoys a pint in the Marquis of Granby pub in London this afternoon after his party's success in the local elections.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage enjoys a pint in the Marquis of Granby pub in London this afternoon after his party's success in the local elections.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage enjoys a pint in the Marquis of Granby pub in London this afternoon after his party's success in the local elections.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage enjoys a pint in the Marquis of Granby pub in London this afternoon after his party's success in the local elections.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage enjoys a pint in the Marquis of Granby pub in London this afternoon after his party's success in the local elections.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage drinks a pint in the Marquis of Granby pub in Westminster, London, after a successful night in the local council elections last night.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage drinks a pint in the Marquis of Granby pub in Westminster, London, after a successful night in the local council elections last night.

Leader of UKIP Nigel Farage, sips a pint of Tribute Ale during a visit to the Jolly Sailor Pub during a visit to Ramsey in Cambridgeshire while on the local election campaign trail.

Leader of UKIP Nigel Farage, sips a pint of Tribute Ale during a visit to the Jolly Sailor Pub during a visit to Ramsey in Cambridgeshire while on the local election campaign trail.